LAND USE INFLUENCE ON SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study is aimed at assessing the soil physiochemical properties of different land use in Gwagwalada Area Council of the
Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The specific objectives are to: examine the soil physiochemical properties of automobile land (mechanic), farm and construction land use surfaces in the study area; identify the variation in physiochemical properties of the selected land use in the study area; establish the most fertile soil and the poorest soil; and recommend the best soil conservation practices to reclaim and sustain the soil fertility in the study area. The study required primary and secondary data, purposive soil samples were taken from farm, construction, automobile shop and control sites within the study region. Three samples each were collected and twelve samples in all were taken from the field. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that, the soil is black in color on automobile land use sample, whereas it is dark gray on farm land, light gray on construction land, and light brown on control land samples. All the samples had significant difference in silt contents. In comparison to automobile land (8.7-9.2g/kg), control land (9.1-10.2g/kg), and farm land (9.8-10.4g/kg), it was much more abundant in construction land (8.8-11.2g/kg). The soil pH levels vary considerably control land (5.8-6.0), cultivated land (6.1-6.4), and building land (7.6-7.8), it had a much higher value in automotive land (7.6-8.5). At p>0.05, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for physical attributes revealed a significant statistical difference between the various land uses. The study concludes that, various human activities within the environment affects the soils physio-chemical properties of various land use. The farm land is the most fertile soil in the research region because it has the greatest soil pH, electrical conductivity, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium values, meanwhile, automobile land has the poorest soil. It is recommended that, to maximize soil fertility and reduce nutrient imbalances, the agriculture extension services should be extended to nutrient management strategy development for various land uses. Land owners should be enlightened on the ethical land conservation principles like: Crop rotation, incorporating organic matter, and decreased tillage are some agricultural strategies that can help preserve soil
fertility and lessen erosion for heathy soil.